Volume One, Chapter 13: Why Didn't You Say a Word When You Went Back to Your Parents' Home?

“Heart-saving pills? Indeed, a rare treasure in this world. Where did you obtain them from?”

“Master Minister, my maternal grandfather is Song Qingshuang, the renowned divine physician of Luo City. When Chu Yao married, my grandfather gave me the only heart-saving pills as part of my dowry. Chu Yao found them useless and wished to present them to you.”

“No reward without merit. What return gift do you seek? Speak first.”

“My second brother will take the imperial examination this spring. Master Minister, you are a scholar of profound knowledge, a guiding star of the north. We only hope you might offer him some guidance.”

Chu Yao presented the porcelain bottle with both hands.

Only then did Chu Xiang realize the purpose of Chu Yao bringing him here.

Master Minister Feng was esteemed for his vast knowledge and deeply trusted by both the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Having served the Emperor at court for many years, he understood His Majesty’s preferences and temperament intimately.

To receive instruction from such a great Confucian scholar was a privilege beyond his previous hopes.

“Even with heart-saving pills in hand, not just anyone can receive my guidance. It depends on his talent. I will not tarnish my reputation for those without virtue or ability.”

The elder cast a slow glance at Chu Xiang and said deliberately:

“Write an essay on the benefits and drawbacks of the Emperor’s new policies. If it catches my eye, then I shall consider guiding him. If not, take your heart-saving pills and leave promptly. Should you speak out of turn again, do not blame me for being unkind.”

“Yes, sir.”

A servant promptly brought paper and brush.

Chu Xiang sat at the stone table and bench in the courtyard, pondered briefly, then dipped his brush in ink.

The brush tip danced swiftly across the paper, ink flowing into vigorous, resonant characters.

His brows furrowed in concentration, as if the world around him had vanished.

Chu Yao watched quietly from the side.

Chu Xiang’s handwriting was like flowing clouds and running water, the strokes lively and unrestrained.

Strong yet gentle, orderly yet spirited.

The script exuded a spirit of resilience and elegance, like a faint scent of ink that soothed the soul.

His brushwork was sharp and fluid, mirroring his character—upright yet warm.

No wonder people say, to see his handwriting is to see the man himself.

Within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Chu Xiang finished writing and respectfully presented the essay to Master Minister Feng.

The elder’s eyes brightened as he glanced over it.

He quickly took the paper, sat upright, and read attentively.

Chu Yao watched the minister’s expression without blinking; a sparkle appeared in his eyes, a faint smile touched his lips.

Her anxious heart finally settled.

When he finished reading, his gaze rested on the handsome young man opposite him. He nodded slowly:

“Not bad. The essay is indeed excellent, insightful and profound.”

Then he looked at Chu Yao with a gentle smile.

“I accept your heart-saving pills.”

Chu Yao was overjoyed, having just been holding her breath in worry.

Master Minister Feng was known for his sharp eyes, eccentric temperament, and exacting standards.

Even with the heart-saving pills, she had feared he might refuse them.

Fortunately, none of her efforts had been in vain.

“Thank you, Master Minister!”

“From tomorrow onward, come to me after your daily lessons.”

“Yes. Thank you, Master Minister!”

The siblings left the minister’s residence in high spirits.

Chu Yao felt the sunlight above seemed even brighter.

“Yao’er, those heart-saving pills were your grandfather’s precious dowry to you. I recall he only gave you two bottles. You actually gave one away so readily?”

Chu Xiang spoke with some regret.

Truth be told, to receive instruction from Master Minister Feng was a great boon he could only dream of.

But the heart-saving pills were his sister’s treasure, and she had given one away so easily.

“It’s just one bottle of medicine. If it can help you rise swiftly, then it is well used.”

Chu Yao couldn’t help but recall the fate of the two bottles in her previous life.

One was taken by the old madam Li and carelessly used.

The other was given away to help Cheng Wenyuan’s promotion.

Looking back now, it was truly a pity.

Upon returning to Yao Guang Pavilion, Chu Yao barely had time to catch her breath before a young maid by Madam Li’s side summoned her.

She was to go immediately to Song He Hall.

Chu Yao calmly drank a cup of tea, changed her clothes, and then slowly made her way to Song He Hall.

“Old Madam, you wished to see me?”

“Yao’er, you returned to the General’s residence today?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when you went back to your natal home?”

A clear displeasure showed on Madam Li’s face.

“Old Madam, the General’s residence is not far. I will visit often from now on. There’s no need for formalities, and you needn’t prepare any gifts for me.”

Gifts? She hadn’t mentioned any.

Madam Li’s face darkened, her thin lips nearly pressed into a straight line.

The reprimanding words slipped out:

“A woman who marries must prioritize her husband’s family. She cannot keep returning to her natal home at will.”

“Your admonition is well taken. Of course, Chu Yao prioritizes her husband’s family, or why would she spend every day at the Marquis’s residence, managing the Cheng household affairs?

But one’s natal family is still family.

Just because Chu Yao is married does not mean she should forsake her birth family.

That would go against filial piety and human decency.

The Cheng family is a scholarly lineage, and you, Old Madam, well-read in poetry and prose, surely understand this principle.

I believe that you, who have always valued filial piety, would not stop me from returning to my natal home.

Would you, Old Madam?”

Her words left Madam Li feeling suffocated.

Before she could say anything, her granddaughter-in-law overwhelmed her with a torrent of reasoning.

Madam Li stifled her anger and looked at the calm, untroubled Chu Yao.

“No one forbids you from returning to your natal home. But since you are a daughter-in-law of the Marquis’s household, you should at least inform me when you go out.”

“Old Madam, before I left, I came to Song He Hall intending to inform you.

But Chun Tao, your maid, said you had not yet risen, so I did not wish to disturb your rest.

I asked her to relay the message.

Surely she did?”

“She did.”

Madam Li was annoyed for much of the day upon hearing her granddaughter-in-law had returned home without permission.

She had intended to give her a stern lesson.

But before she could speak much, Chu Yao reasoned her way out, leaving her no room to retort.

Now she blamed her maid.

Of course, the maid had informed her early on, yet she still felt vexed.

Marrying into the Marquis’s household meant becoming part of it.

Returning to one’s natal home at will was improper.

Moreover, a woman going out casually was unbecoming.

“It was told, wasn’t it? If it was told, then all is well. I even thought Chun Tao might have forgotten.”

Chu Yao appeared utterly unconcerned.

“Yao’er, you are now a married woman. In the future, do not go out casually or show yourself in public.”

“Old Madam, didn’t you entrust me with managing the Marquis’s household affairs?

So, does the lady of the house not even have the right to go out?

I had planned to visit the shops belonging to the Marquis’s estate tomorrow, to see why the income has dwindled these past years.

But if you dislike me going out, then I shall not go.

If the housekeeper’s authority only extends to a few ledgers and keys, without even the freedom to step outside, then I choose not to manage it at all.

Old Madam, I will return the account books and keys shortly.”

Since she was given charge but no real authority, she refused to manage the household.

Let whoever wants the mess deal with it.

Seeing her about to give up, Madam Li hastened to clarify:

“That is not what I meant.

Your grandmother trusts you, Yao’er, so you should continue managing the household affairs.

Those shops should indeed be inspected.

You must personally see what is going on.

I don’t know how the managers have been running them, but the profits are clearly declining.”